About Us
RISHM’s mission is to highlight the overlooked histories of Rhode Island’s free and enslaved African American and Indigenous communities. Through our statewide installation of interactive bronze medallions, research, public programs, and community partnerships, we raise awareness of Rhode Island’s significant role in American slavery, and its lasting legacy to this day.
What We Do
The Rhode Island Slave History Medallion (RISHM) organization is a statewide public awareness program committed to marking historic sites connected to the history of slavery in Rhode Island.
RISHM’s Black History Walking Tours have been established and produced with the belief that the daily history of all cultures and peoples has relevance for all, and still resonates with us today. Our trained historians and educators have worked tirelessly to discover more untold stories about early Black Americans and to share the contributions they made and legacies they left.
Bronze medallions are installed at historic sites in honor of RI’s enslaved African and Indigenous people. At each site, a QR coded Medallion will link you to our website that contains the historical content about each location.
RISHM hosts several annual events & celebrations in Rhode Island, including the Newport Juneteenth Celebration and a Black History Month speaking series.
Slavery was the global economic engine of the period and Rhode Island’s role in this economy was significant. By marking sites throughout the state that are connected to that past, we hope to make that history easily accessible by telling a more complete story of the cultural and economic development of the state of Rhode Island.
We welcome YOUR participation in the Rhode Island Slave History Medallion project! Please help us accomplish this landmark achievement in education.
You can connect with us at our upcoming events, via our newsletter or via email at info@rishm.org.
